Posts tagged advice

Why Men Love Bitches: A Review

Why Men Love Bitches: From Doormat to Dream Girl -  A Woman’s Guide to Holding Her Own In A Relationship by Sherry Argov

Let me say from the beginning: too much attention is paid to this book’s title and not enough to its subtitle. The term “bitch” here doesn’t mean a demanding, inconsiderate diva but a self-assured, sassy, vibrant woman. Being a “bitch” in this sense, is a good thing, a very good thing indeed.

Sherry Agov’s book on modern dating reads like cocktails with your best friend. Argov tells us everything we don’t want to hear about ourselves.

“She is on-call like a rookie flight attendant” she says of the doormat, the girl we’re all trying to avoid being. The doormat, however, is no one-dimensional patsy but someone we’ve all been. Trust me on this one.

When this book was recommended to me, I scoffed outright like a bratty child. “I’m a strong, independent woman. I write for a feminist zine. I don’t need this book. I’m not pathetic. I’m not that girl.” But Argov let me in on a secret: we’re all that girl from time to time. We’re all the doormat because we all sell ourselves short from time to time.

This book is less about dating than it is about empowerment. Her main lesson is this: Live your life, give yourself some credit, and the right men will come your way. However, there’s a plethora of applicable tips on each page that will have you guffawing your way through the stigma of shame associated with dating books.

—By Lauren Osborn, Vagina Prose+Poetry Editor

*This review was featured in Vagina’s Winter 2011, now on sale for $2!

P.S. All submissions for Vagina’s Spring 2012 issue are due by Sunday, April 22 at 11:59pm CST. Send us your goods, ladies!

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Looking for a great liquid eyeliner? Not sure where to find red oxfords to help you experiment with French chic style? Can’t decide what to wear on your date this weekend? Or what to wear to that interview for life in the real world? Our new Style Editor, Rachel, wants to answer your style questions! 

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Le “Je Ne Sais Pas” :: Classic French Chic

If I learned one thing from my study abroad in France, it was this: French women are well-dressed mysterious creatures. There is something about them that reads relaxed glamour. Yes, I realize that is an oxymoron, and so is the perfect style they employ called “décontracté chic” casual, yet elegant. Little by little I was able to pin down how French women create their messy yet sexy fabulousness.

So here’s what you need: a liquid liner pen you can master (I love the L’oreal Lineur Intense Felt Tip Liquid Liner Pen, $8), a perfect red lipstick (I have three favorites— Smashbox in Lavish, $22, mark in Cha Cha, $9 and L’oreal Colour Riche, $8 in British Red). These makeup products are for two separate occasions. When wearing the red lip, it is almost an after-thought worn with very minimal makeup (French women tend to have perfect skin) and a light coat of mascara, nothing else. As for the liquid liner, it’s applied thickly à la Brigitte Bardot with a nude lip. A light shimmering apricot eye shadow like Stila in Kitten is extra credit.

As for clothes, French women veer toward somber tones; navy blue, black and gray are among their favorites with splashes of cognac and deep red. Pair a sheer navy blue polka dot blouse with a black pleated skirt, red oxfords and a sexy cat eye. Mix it up with a striped shirt (the French call these marinières) with black skinny jeans, messy waves and a bold red lip.

French beauty swings in the balance of coiffed and messy, made-up yet just-rolled-out-of-bed-with-my-lover. So try throwing on a coat of red lipstick tonight with some messy waves and see where French chic takes you. 

Read More:

How to be impossibly French by Helena Frith Powell.

Parisian Chic: A Style Guide by Ignes de la Fressange

Vogue’s Street Style Slide Show from Paris Fashion Week


—By Rachel Martino, Vagina Style Editor